Display case



' April 12, 1932.

C. F. BURKHART DISPLAY CASE Filed March 11, Y 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l l lllll l April 1932- c. F. BURKHART ,85

DISPLAY CASE Filed March 11, 1930 s Sheets-Sheet 2 April 12, 1932. c, F, BURKHART 1,854,104

DISPLAY CASE Filed March 11, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 12, 1932 STA CHARLES FRANK BURKHART, OF CHICAGO, & COMPANY, OF CHICAGO,

DISPLAY CASE Application filed March 11, 1930. Serial No; 434,915.

This invention relates to display cases; and more particularly to display cases for the exhibition of food products.

An object of the present invention is to provide a display case of the character indicated of an improved and simplified structurecombining means for illuminating the contents of the case and for properly ventilating the case to prevent the accumula m tion and deposit of moisture therein.

Other obj ects'will be more particularly described in the course of the following detailed description, as follows.

Three sheets of drawings accompany this specification as part thereof, in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout.

Figure 1 is a vertical cross section through the improved display case;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevation;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one container element with a fragment of a second element shown assembled therewith;

Figure 4: is a perspective of a container element from the rear;

Figure 5 is a plan of a modified form; and

Figure 6 is a side elevation, partly in cross section, of the modified form illustrated in i Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings, numeral 1 indi cates a base surrounded by an apron 2 and supported by legs 3. The base 1 is provided with openings 4: associated with which are semi-spherical reflectors 5. Each reflector carries a source of illumination, here illustrated as incandescent electric bulbs 6, and further is provided with air ports 7'through which air may be admitted to pass upward around the electric bulbs.

Mounted on brackets 8 on base or table 1 above the electric bulbs 6 is a translucent deflector plate 9 adapted to permit the passage of light upwardly, but to deflect the heated tt d, as at 14, to receive the food container elements 15. A frame 16 molded at one edge, as at 17, carries a plate glass cover 18 which is secured within frame 16 as by channel members 19.

The food container are of an improved and simplified structure of a unit type adapted to be associated in varying numbers dependent upon the size of the show case. Each unit is upreferably of integral construction, of glass or other suitable transparent material, molded or otherwise formed with side walls 20 of triangular shape, connected by a low front wall 22 and a high rear wall 21.

The top of each element is of stepped structure, providing containers 23 on each step, within which food products to be displayed are placed. The rear wall 241- of each of the step receptacles, is provided with an airport 25, and the high rear wall of each unit is provided with an airport 28, which may be protected by a foraminous shield 29, if de- 7 sired. The triangular side walls 20 of each food container unit are provided with vertical grooves 26 intermediate the step containers, which grooves 26, when two units are associated, coincide to form vertical air passages 27.

When assembled and in operation, it will be apparent that light from the electric bulbs 6 will pass through the translucent shield 9 and through the transparent bottoms 23 of the step containers thoroughly illuminating the contents of these containers. At the same time, air will enter through air port 28 in the rear walls 21 of the container units, and will pass downwardly, under and within these units and will also pass through ports and thus over the upper surface of the contents "of these units and be blown out through port 10 in base 1 by blower fan 11.

In this manner the air within the display case will be kept fresh, and deposits of moisture will not form on the plate glass cover 18.

Various modifications in the precise construction and arrangement of the parts will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, but within the scope of the present invention as claimed.

Having thus fully described my invention, 7 I claim:

iii)

A casing having a normally horizontal supporting base, a transparent top for said casing inclined to said base, a transparent article holder comprising a series of containers each including a plurality of pockets integral with each other and arranged in successive steps paralleling said top, said containers provided With complementary grooves adapted to constitute vertical ventilation flues, means in said casing below said holder for illuminating said holder and top, and means for circulating air around and through the fines of said holder.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES FRANK BURKHART. 

